Saving Money By Timing Your Buy

People on the whole aren't as good at preparing as we think we are. We often get blindsided by things we "should have bought" and are going out to buy what we need, when we need it the most.

And that is something that is costing us a lot of money.

Commerce runs in a cycle, where prices go up and down. Learning when the prices fall is the first step. Stores also try and get you to buy into fashion fads, whether it's for clothing or your next new couch. By sticking to a timeless and neutral style, you can reduce your vulnerability to this marketing tactic. As you stay close to a neutral base, if you do decide to change up the house, you can think in accents and details, rather than a renovation.

Never buy a winter coat in winter; never buy a bikini in summer; never buy holiday decorations right before the holidays.

It seems obvious, but we break this rule all the time. We find out we need something, and then we have to go out and buy it, as the item is at its most expensive. The worst is, that if you want to keep that money in your pocket, you need to cycle a year through before you are in a comfortable rhythm. And that is after you find out exactly when you DO need to buy each item.

When spring approaches, especially when the sun comes out in force, suddenly winter jackets are on sale. They need to go! They are taking up precious inventory space in the store, where the new spring line has to be. So now you can buy two for the price of one, instead.

Likewise, when a holiday has just passed is the best time to pick up the leftover decorations for a steal. Get a new suit in summer, when all the job hunting has been done, and bikinis in the fall.

Some items are expensive year-round, like walking shoes or furniture, but even there you can get quality items during a clearance sale or even a bankruptcy sale.

It's often better to save a little longer and buy a quality item, as this is cheaper in the long run. A quality couch can last for thirty years, while costing only twice as much as a cheap couch. The cheap couch might last you only five years, however.

As you focus on good that have a longer functional life, you also need to make sure they have a timeless style. Clean lines or modular builds are easier to work with than very fashionable items which may become an eyesore long before they are used up.

Another thing to consider is that if you decide what you need beforehand, and save up for it, you can buy items in a larger number. Stores often will give you a further discount, and clerks eager to earn a commission might throw in a pair of socks or some furniture spray in for free to sweeten the deal. Once you have what you need on your shopping list, only be persuaded to buy more items if the total cost for everything does not go over what you initially wanted to spend.

Don't be afraid to haggle! It's not a crime to ask for a more reasonable price, especially if items are not discounted, or you are purchasing a lot in one go. If they won't go down on the price, ask for some accessories or other item as a freebie. It won't hurt to try!

The most expensive items to decorate in your home will be the floors, curtains, ceiling and core furniture such as the couch, the bed or a desk. Here you can save a lot of money by choosing a timeless style and a neutral color. A grey or taupe couch, for example, can be combined with a wide array of other colors. A red couch, not so much.

By having a neutral base to work with, you can quickly convert the entire look of the room by changing accents, such as throw-rugs, pillows and small accessories. Changing the house up when you want to change the style is much quicker and cheaper than when you have to change the entire furnishing around, or have to paint walls and ceilings.

By becoming less vulnerable to fashion and the must-haves of today, you will be left with more money to invest in quality and longevity of your purchases.

Three simple rules, based on timeless simplicity, modular decorating and timing the moment you make your purchase will greatly reduce the amount of money you have to spend on a yearly basis.